Category Archives: Music

For the last three years I have fought a bitter battle against my life, or at least against the geographic setting of my life. It was a painful attempt to define myself outside of my life as it is now. I clung to the desire that I would get a(ny) job somewhere, anywhere other than here. And once no longer here I could finally be me, who I really am. As though “where” defined “who”.

It has taken a long time for me to remember that place does not equate to being. I must be where I am. Sure, there are geographic places where I feel more comfortable, places where how I live and desire to live my life is normal. Places where: “compost” and “worm bin” are not followed by a question mark and confused looks; CSAs and buying local are a way of life; track homes are not the norm; and driving and traffic do not define one’s life choices. In fighting and cursing here I sowed disdain and resentfulness, and reaped frustration, bitterness, and isolation.

Over the last several months, slowly, almost imperceptibly, I began relinquishing bits and pieces of my life that I had protected from here. I began giving myself to here; allowing myself to be here. In doing so I realized that where I am, here, is more than just something to endure until I can move away; here is good. While I cannot say I love here, I know that good people, beauty, joy, and hope reside here. And that is a here I can be.

I fought this place. I was bruised, scratched, cut, and broken. My blood dripped onto the ground, mixing with the earth.
I am a part of this. I am a part of here.
I am here.
I am.

As for my grand declaration of my intention to write, fits and spurts best describes my willingness to actually do so. I have the best intentions to write but find myself far too easily distracted and with little (to no) discipline to stop, sit down, be quiet, think, and write. The result has been the incessant rolling around of words and ideas in my head. May I diligently write until the act of writing becomes a natural part of my expression and experience, something I can no longer ignore or do without.

The amount of new music I had piling up in my “Potential Blogtracks” playlist was starting to get a wee bit out of control. Instead of inundating you with “Download/Listen HERE” hyperlinks, I create you a delightful little mix entitled “Musical Candy”, which is available HERE for your listening pleasure.

I desire to write more often; but I do not. As of late life has had a way of making the the simple act of putting pen to paper seem more laborious and futile than ever.

Every deed and every relationship is surrounded by an atmosphere of silence. Friendship needs no words–it is solitude delivered from the anguish of loneliness.
~D. Hammarskjöld, Markings

Feel free to escape the written silence by enjoying a little noise from my two new mixes: “As of Late, part 1 and part 2“. They are compilations of many recent blogtracks with a few new ones sprinkled in. Happy listening!